Help on Possible Rear Wheel Bearing
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
Help on Possible Rear Wheel Bearing
So occasionally lately I have heard just a bit of noise in rear end.
So I jacked rear end up to feel rear wheel bearing play..
The left (driver) is tight both ways when "feeling" for bearing play at
the 3 / 9 and 12 / 6 O Clock Positions..
The Right Side has some play in the 3 / 9 OClock position..
Usually bearings will show play in the 12 / 6 Up/down when pulling
on tire/wheel..
ANY Thoughts or Advice ??????????????
So I jacked rear end up to feel rear wheel bearing play..
The left (driver) is tight both ways when "feeling" for bearing play at
the 3 / 9 and 12 / 6 O Clock Positions..
The Right Side has some play in the 3 / 9 OClock position..
Usually bearings will show play in the 12 / 6 Up/down when pulling
on tire/wheel..
ANY Thoughts or Advice ??????????????
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: Trussville AL
I jacked the rear up, put it on stands and had a helper put it in gear while I put a scope near the bearings. I did the test that you did but noticed no play. With the scope there was no question that my drivers side was the culprit. Just don't get squashed or let a wheel weight slap the scope. My ears rang for two days.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
It's been my more recent experience that newer designs of spindle bearings have to get very very bad before they exhibit any noticeable play. One of the fronts went out on my wife's '04 GPGT not too long ago, and it was howling so loud you couldn't have a conversation in the car. But I was baffled and went on a bit of a wild goose chase with tires and alignment because the wheel had no play at all. Finally I pulled the spindle, and the bearing turned out to be dry as bone. Slapped a new one in and the noise disappeared. 
And FYI you look for bearing play at 12 to 6 because play at 3 to 9 more often points to slop in steering or suspension components. Not because a sloppy bearing can't create play at 3 to 9.
And FYI you look for bearing play at 12 to 6 because play at 3 to 9 more often points to slop in steering or suspension components. Not because a sloppy bearing can't create play at 3 to 9.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
OK .. Good info.
I went and picked up both sides.. Figure one is right behind the other..
Are there any "tricks" to getting the upper or lower ball joint loose from spindle????
I have tie rod end off, both ball joint nuts loosened to end of threads. And axle shaft
nut off. Shock lower bolt out.
But can't get darn ball joints to give up.. I don't want to damage the spindle by
beating the hell out of it.
Help !!
I went and picked up both sides.. Figure one is right behind the other..
Are there any "tricks" to getting the upper or lower ball joint loose from spindle????
I have tie rod end off, both ball joint nuts loosened to end of threads. And axle shaft
nut off. Shock lower bolt out.
But can't get darn ball joints to give up.. I don't want to damage the spindle by
beating the hell out of it.
Help !!
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 740
Likes: 83
From: MN
I've had good luck with one of these before: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html
It's nice because it doesn't damage the grease boots. The ball joints on the 'vette popped loose a lot easier than the rusty cars I usually work on.
It's nice because it doesn't damage the grease boots. The ball joints on the 'vette popped loose a lot easier than the rusty cars I usually work on.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
Well, I got it all done...
Still SLOP in 3/9 wheel position
So I think must be the outter tie rod end..
The Inner tie rod or nothing else moves at all.
It felt OK when I had spindle out,
but parts stores cant find a part number for it
Still SLOP in 3/9 wheel position
So I think must be the outter tie rod end..
The Inner tie rod or nothing else moves at all.
It felt OK when I had spindle out,
but parts stores cant find a part number for it
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
I see them on GMPartsDirect for $71 and change.
#5 in this pic
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
Looks like Ecklers is the only place to find these...
Will be end of next week to get.. even with paying $20 to ship them
Any other options???
My local dealer can get them, but they are $100 each and I might as well do both
Will be end of next week to get.. even with paying $20 to ship them
Any other options???
My local dealer can get them, but they are $100 each and I might as well do both
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
GM part #88955488
1ea $88.38 shipped gmpartsdirectdotcom
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item #57
